Boston Partners Acquires 42,178 Shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Boston Partners increased its stake in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 17.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 281,820 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 42,178 shares during the quarter. Boston Partners owned 2.19% of Markel Group worth $486,580,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 23.1% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 32 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 145 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $250,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the last quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 428 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $739,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 213 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $368,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 469 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $810,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. 77.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner acquired 100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $2,008.01 per share, for a total transaction of $200,801.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 48,945 shares in the company, valued at approximately $98,282,049.45. This trade represents a 0.20 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Steven A. Markel sold 800 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,856.80, for a total transaction of $1,485,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 64,868 shares in the company, valued at approximately $120,446,902.40. This trade represents a 1.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 2,034 shares of company stock worth $3,778,952 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.71% of the company's stock.

Markel Group Price Performance

Shares of MKL traded down $14.07 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $1,833.40. 54,205 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 45,723. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $1,852.81 and a 200-day moving average of $1,717.05. Markel Group Inc. has a one year low of $1,417.65 and a one year high of $2,063.68. The firm has a market cap of $23.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.21 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.60.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $20.66 by ($0.15). Markel Group had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 7.55%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MKL has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, TD Cowen downgraded shares of Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $1,986.00 to $1,836.00 in a report on Monday, December 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $1,702.20.

About Markel Group

Markel Group Inc, a diverse holding company, engages in marketing and underwriting specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The company offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind.